How can recycled rare-earth magnets move from pilot-scale processes into motors, generators and other demanding applications? HARMONY will bring that question to MMA26 in Grenoble from 27 to 29 October 2026.
The EU-funded HARMONY project will hold its final event as part of MMA26 – Magnetic Materials and Applications 2026, organized by Magnetics Society. The event will connect HARMONY’s final results with a specialist audience from magnetics research, manufacturing and industry.
HARMONY partners will present technical results, discuss their industrial relevance and show selected project materials at a dedicated exhibition space. MMA26 will take place at Maison Minatec in Grenoble, France.
Early registration ends on 9 September 2026.
Event at a glance
Why MMA26 is the right setting for HARMONY
Circular magnet technologies must ultimately work in real applications. They also need to meet the expectations of magnet manufacturers, motor developers and other industrial users.
MMA26 brings scientists, engineers and industry professionals together to discuss technical advances, industrial challenges and the future of magnetic materials. Its programme focuses on practical applications, manufacturing innovations and collaboration between research and industry. Topics span permanent magnets, electric machines, measurement technologies and applications in sectors such as mobility, energy, aerospace and healthcare.
This applied focus makes MMA26 a strong match for HARMONY. The project does not stop at recovering raw materials. It follows recycled material into new magnets and tests those magnets in industrial applications.
One project, a complete circular magnet value chain
HARMONY develops a flexible recycling process for neodymium-iron-boron, or NdFeB, permanent magnets from different waste streams. These include end-of-life electric motors, wind turbines and waste electrical and electronic equipment.
The project covers the complete chain:
- collection and dismantling of end-of-life magnets;
- production of recycled powder through direct recycling technologies;
- recovery and refining of rare earth elements through indirect routes;
- production of bonded and sintered recycled magnets;
- validation of those magnets in three industrial applications;
- lifecycle, economic and social assessment;
- standardisation and preparation for future exploitation.
HARMONY combines direct routes such as gas atomisation, melt-spinning and selectively leached HPMS powder with indirect processes that include pyrometallurgy, selective leaching, solvent extraction and electrowinning. The project aims to match different material streams with routes suited to their composition, condition and intended use. HARMONY validates these processes through pilot implementations at Technology Readiness Levels 6–7.
Results that delegates can see and discuss
HARMONY has already reported progress across eight pilot lines.
Milestones include 50 recycled NdFeB magnets produced for application testing, 10 kilograms of rare-earth oxalates recovered through continuous hydrometallurgical processing, and 11.5 kilograms of jet-cast recycled material delivered for magnet production. Partners have also produced the first overmoulded rotors for hydraulic-pump prototypes.
At MMA26, delegates will have time to explore selected results at the HARMONY exhibition space.
Depending on final transport and safety arrangements, the display may include:
- recycled magnet and material samples;
- powders and process samples;
- bonded and sintered magnets;
- motor or demonstrator components;
- process diagrams and technology infographics;
- videos from dismantling and recycling pilots;
- lifecycle and standardisation results.
The exhibition will give delegates a chance to ask detailed questions directly to the researchers and industrial partners behind the work. The official MMA26 programme also confirms that HARMONY partners will speak during the event and that physical project results will be available for examination.
More to explore at MMA26
MMA26 offers a wider programme of technical presentations, practical case studies and networking across the magnetics community.
The event also includes visits to major research and technology facilities in Grenoble:
- LNCMI, with tours on 27 and 29 October;
- CEA Grenoble, including its Powder Metallurgy and Assembly Platform;
- ESRF, where visitors can explore the synchrotron facility.
Places are limited, and participants must submit identification in advance. The current deadlines are 25 September for LNCMI, 5 October for CEA Grenoble and 12 October for ESRF. Participants must also bring the same identification document on the day.
For current programme, tour and travel information, please check the official MMA26 page.
Join HARMONY in Grenoble
MMA26 offers a place to examine the results, question the people who developed them and discuss what comes next for circular rare-earth magnet value chains.
Join us in Grenoble to explore how recovered materials can move through recycling and magnet production into motors, generators and other industrial applications.
Dates: 27–29 October 2026
Venue: Maison Minatec, Grenoble, France
Early-registration deadline: 9 September 2026